Major Transit Station Areas Final Report

Shwaan Hutton Nov 28 2023 at 4:17PM on page 30

With several buildings under construction and several more in the approval process well above 30 storeys, does it make sense to be using this as the benchmark for modelling? The larger sites within the downtown could be used in a more efficient way with taller buildings/modelling.

Shwaan Hutton Nov 28 2023 at 4:14PM on page 78

Suggestion

Why does this modelling contemplate most of the redevelopment along James Street, which is arguably already one of the nicest streets in the City, with small grained fabric, several listed/designated buildings, while NO intensification is shown on the severely underutilized, large commercial parcels all along Barton, which are in need of redevelopment? i.e. the city parcel of land next the Bridgeworks, the former Hamilton Strip lot, the Food Basics Parking lot, the Arrudas lands etc? In my opinion, some of these larger parcels should be accommodating tower form buildings and while I am sure this study was done with the Secondary Plan in mind, that document appears out of date given Provincial TOD goals. There are other excellent opportunities for intensification that have also been overlooked on Bay Street between Cannon and the rail line, the north side of Cannon Street and the Jamesville Lands. Given the significant Metrolinx infrastructure in this area, which provides better service to Toronto than the downtown or the rest of the city, there needs to be a harder look at where the orange should go and this density number is far too low. Walk to work (i.e. the train), don’t jam up James Street etc trying to drive to the GO lot.

Shwaan Hutton Nov 28 2023 at 3:43PM on page 39

Suggestion

A projected density of 152 doesn’t align at all with the fact that the West Harbour GO Station is the ONLY stop with true transit connectivity to the Toronto area. More people need to be in walking distance of this asset to reduce car dependency and traffic. How could somewhere as far out as Kenilworth be modelled out at 162 and Ottawa at 204, while the only GO train stop that connects regularly to Toronto is at 152? This must be re-examined as the density should likely fall out at least somewhere closer to that projected for Mary or Wellington in the 300’s. There are many missed opportunities in the modelling on along specifically Barton, but also parts of Bay, the north side of Cannon and the Jamesville property.

in reply to Cara Hernould's comment

Alexander Manojlovich Nov 28 2023 at 2:15PM on page 77

Suggestion

100% agree. Would be incredibly beneficial to connect the gap between James St N and Barton Village via Barton St E intensification.

Ken Cruikshank Nov 24 2023 at 2:26PM on page 26

Suggestion

McMaster should not be excluded from the commitment to higher density development along the transit corridor. I also don't understand why it is so shallow down, for example, Emerson St.

Ken Cruikshank Nov 24 2023 at 2:19PM on page 6

Suggestion

What's the purpose of this photo? Is this the closest McMaster location you could find closes to the proposed transit hub? One of the challenges of this photo is that the image of low rise buildings seems contrary to the notion of having density near transit hubs.

Ken Cruikshank Nov 24 2023 at 2:17PM on page 9

Question

Is the transit station at "James" going to be between James and McNab, ie connected to the major bus hub? If it is not directly near the McNab bus hub, what's the point of that hub?

David Hitchcock Nov 23 2023 at 4:30PM on page 37

Suggestion

The limit of 12 storeys to buildings near major transit station areas seems quite artificial. At Longwood Road, for example, which is the closest station to my home, there have already been approved developments of 18 storeys. Along major arteries, in places that are not near major transit station areas (such as Main Street West to the west of Cootes Drive), there are proposals for buildings of 15 storeys, proposals that I support in principle.

John Nov 22 2023 at 11:24AM on page 70

In preparing to support the targets of the Parkdale MTSA, the City ought to strongly consider a strategy to secure land near the RHVP off-ramp to develop a large multi-storey vehicle parking facility with hundreds of parking spaces to allow commuters coming from Burlington, Stoney Creek and beyond to drive the highway into Hamilton, but then park and ride LRT into downtown, without having to bring their cars into the downtown area that will become increasingly congested and difficult for parking.

in reply to John's comment

John Nov 22 2023 at 11:21AM on page 46

Suggestion

I should add - In previous time spent studying planning, I recall a project in which the plaza at 505 King St W was identified as the site most primed for high-rise redevelopment in the entire Strathcona neighbourhood. It is on the south side of a very wide street across from a park, therefore threatening shadow impacts on zero other homes, while ensuring residents of a high-density building would be well serviced by transit and the park. In order to achieve its MTSA population target for Dundurn, I would strongly recommend the City proactively re-zone this site to allow 20-25 floors of residential, recognizing that the complete demolition and redevelopment of existing businesses on Locke Street currently accounted for in this document's calculations is unrealistic.

John Nov 22 2023 at 11:15AM on page 9

Suggestion

The uniform target of ppj/Ha across the route is unrealistic without some complementary transportation changes that the City would be well-served to pursue regardless. As someone who lives near the Queen MTSA, I have experienced a dramatic change for the better in transportation in my intensifying neighbourhood in recent years as Communauto, SoBi and scooters have been launched. But I work east of Kenilworth, where none of these services are offered. I have used all of these methods of transportation routinely for groceries, volunteering, and other gatherings, but can not use any of them to get to work.
In order to complement the LRT that will be the basis for most of Hamilton's MTSAs, Hamilton must either:
A) Facilitate whatever the operators of our local car, bike and scooter-share systems need to expand to Centennial Parkway (phased, starting with expansion to the RHVP if necessary) in order to mitigate the increased traffic concerns that the density targets proposed in this document stand to create. This would be the obvious preferred option in my mind. Otherwise,
B) Dramatically weight the density targets to MTSAs serviced by these various micro transit services. I would suggest the City change the targets to 190 ppj/Ha for McMaster through Gage, which is serviced by all three micro transit options, while targeting 110 ppj/Ha for the further east stations if they cannot become quickly serviced by Communauto, SoBi and scooters.

Nikki Young Nov 21 2023 at 6:48AM on page 8

Suggestion

Urban commuter rail stations (aka GO Stations), being higher order transit, should have higher density targets than the LRT. Bump up to minimum off 200 people/jobs per hectare.

John Oct 23 2023 at 3:40PM on page 66

Suggestion

This model requires the demolition of relatively new, 3- and 6-storey affordable housing buildings on Main Street, showing them to be replaced with 6-10 storey new buildings. This also shows zero residential housing at the site of the former Delta High School where almost 1,000 new homes are proposed (not approved). Safer to assume that 500 new homes will be added to the Delta site, and that some of the existing medium-density buildings on Main will be preserved.

John Oct 23 2023 at 3:38PM on page 64

Suggestion

Like my comment about Locke St on the page about the Dundurn MTSA, the Hamilton community would never accept a complete demolition of all the historic commercial buildings on Ottawa St to allow 6-10-storey buildings to replace them all. This concept needs to be redeveloped with much higher towers along Main, and a disregarding of the possibility for redevelopment along most of Ottawa Street.

John Oct 23 2023 at 3:33PM on page 60

Suggestion

This sketch seems to show a number of existing 4-5 storey residential buildings on King being demolished to make way for 5-6 storey buildings. Nobody is going to take on a project like that. This sketch won't be a reliable projection for potential intensification. Better to look at Metrolinx-owned car lots on King and project 8-10 storey buildings onto those particular sites.

John Oct 23 2023 at 3:25PM on page 48

Suggestion

This appears to presume the demolition of existing high-rise residential apartment and condo buildings near Market and Hess, and near Queen and Napier. These projections should be reviewed to eliminate the assumption of such unrealistic demolition.

John Oct 23 2023 at 3:22PM on page 46

Suggestion

In preparing to support the targets of the Dundurn MTSA, the City ought to strongly consider a strategy to secure land within the existing Fortino's plaza to develop a large parking facility with hundreds of parking spaces to allow commuters coming from Burlington, Ancaster and beyond to drive the highway into Hamilton, but then park and ride LRT into downtown or East Hamilton, without having to bring their cars into the downtown area that will become increasingly congested and difficult for parking (ditto for the Queenston LRT stop near the RHVP of course).

John Oct 23 2023 at 3:20PM on page 46

Suggestion

Local residents and heritage advocates, for good reasons, will never accept the kind of complete redevelopment of Locke Street South shown here. Those potential projects should all be disregarded, and the potential projects at the existing Fortinos plaza increased to 20-25-storey towers.

Jake Oct 18 2023 at 2:07PM on page 77

Suggestion

I think it's reasonable to presume James Street is likely to develop density early relative to the rest of Hamilton. It may be worth it to close the street to all vehicle traffic between Barton and King—emergency vehicles excluded—and widen the sidewalks into a pedestrian mall. Of course, the planned A-line could also still run through, as LRTs can work really well in a pedestrianized setting. Currently, monthly Art Crawls take up a lot of the sidewalk. These are wonderful events, but the limited space makes it difficult for people with disabilities to use the street. Increasing the space for pedestrians can benefit everyone.

in reply to Sarah Wakefield's comment

Cara Hernould Oct 17 2023 at 1:09PM on page 78

Suggestion

Walkable streets and intensification go hand-in-hand. People need to walk to transit and take transit to visit the area. I agree with intensifying James St. while maintaining the pleasant atmosphere of James St. N.

Cara Hernould Oct 17 2023 at 1:03PM on page 78

Suggestion

West Harbour Go is a critical transit link into and out of the city. The targets here are too low and there are many, many lost opportunities for densification within the MTSA. Please review and consider suggested comments.

Cara Hernould Oct 17 2023 at 1:01PM on page 79

Suggestion

I strongly oppose targets below minimum density. We can do better and meet density targets for all MTSAs. The city needs to grow along transit in order to ensure people can move around the city efficiently. Please revisit these MTSAs and review again because minimum density targets are possible.

Cara Hernould Oct 17 2023 at 12:55PM on page 39

Suggestion

Given the importance of the Go train to access employment outside of Hamilton, and vice versa, the West Harbour Go station should have a more ambitious densification target.

Cara Hernould Oct 17 2023 at 12:48PM on page 77

Suggestion

Cannon St. West should be included in intensification target area. Much opportunity for redevelopment along Cannon. Please target.

Cara Hernould Oct 17 2023 at 12:47PM on page 77

Suggestion

Entire Elgin St. block between Cannon and Barton should be included in intensification target area. Largely parking areas with opportunity for redevelopment.

Cara Hernould Oct 17 2023 at 12:43PM on page 77

Suggestion

New businesses are opening along Barton St. E. between James and John. Barton St. E. should be targeted for housing intensification. Frequent existing bus route that connects to the city's transit system along Barton. The location is so, so close to the Go Station it would be a disservice not to include the area in the densification target area.

Cara Hernould Oct 17 2023 at 12:39PM on page 77

Suggestion

Why isn't Cannon St. identified as an intensification area? Cannon St. is low-hanging fruit. lots of opportunity and in the middle of access to LRT and Go Station. Please include Cannon as target intensification area.

Cara Hernould Oct 17 2023 at 12:37PM on page 77

Suggestion

Excellent target area choice. I strongly support this target area.

Cara Hernould Oct 17 2023 at 12:36PM on page 77

Suggestion

Major opportunity for development in the parking lot associated with the grocery store. Parking lot underused and along important bus rout. very close to Go station.

Cara Hernould Oct 17 2023 at 12:35PM on page 77

Suggestion

These vacant lands should be included in the intensification area. Lost opportunity without including them. If they are developed into film studios the area will be a major generator of trips.

Cara Hernould Oct 17 2023 at 12:34PM on page 77

Suggestion

The entire Jamesville block should be included in the targeted intensification area. This is mere steps to the Go station.

Cara Hernould Oct 17 2023 at 12:30PM on page 77

Question

Location of stalled intensification Planning Act application.

Why is Barton Street not targeted as a corridor for intensificcation?

Cara Hernould Oct 17 2023 at 12:20PM on page 19

Suggestion

density target too low Centre on Barton can accommodate a lot of mid-rise housing to achieve a 500 persons per hectare target

Cara Hernould Oct 17 2023 at 12:18PM on page 19

Question

Who determined the 500 people per hectare density for the downtown node? The City of Hamilton OP? Is that density being proposed? Is this above and beyond the provincially set targets?

Jake Oct 10 2023 at 7:32PM on page 63

Suggestion

Given (a) the density planned for Centre Mall, and (b) that this density is a greater distance from the LRT compared to other MTSAs, and (c) that we are planning to have Go Transit run a passenger line between West Harbour and Confederation Stations, can we approach Metrolinx to construct a new station or platform at Centre Mall? Ideally one that would connect with the planned BRT along Kenilworth/Mohawk, as well as with Ottawa Street and near-by Tim Hortons Field. Doing so would help create diverse transportation options for residents at Centre Mall and area. Moreover — if service intervals were improved — a stop at Centre Mall could also alleviate the food desert problem in Hamilton's North End as residents could easily hop on the train between West Harbour and Centre Mall for shopping. Plus, this could help spur development in under-developed areas, such as along Kenilworth. Additionally, the distance between West Harbour and Centre Mall would be similar to distances along the line North of the lake.

Sarah Wakefield Oct 8 2023 at 7:44PM on page 78

This is an awful lot of intensification in an area with a pleasant, walkable streetscape... it makes no sense to change that! It would make MORE sense to focus the intensification in the King/James area (where Jackson Square/eaton centre is, and where redevelopment is planned). Also around Gore Park, with some facade preservation!

Sarah Wakefield Oct 8 2023 at 7:38PM on page 74

Hmm. This makse sense in some ways, but where will people shop in this area if you completely redevelop the mall? The street grid here seems pretty tight... where will all the people go for parks etc? The existing buildings in the area are large, but have a lot of green space, so this would be quite a different character for this neighbourhood

Sarah Wakefield Oct 8 2023 at 7:35PM on page 64

This seems to make Ottawa St. pretty dense... I'm not sure it really fits with the existing character of the area?

Sarah Wakefield Oct 8 2023 at 7:29PM on page 45

Why is there not greater intensification planned along Dundurn St. S? It seems like it could handle it (it is currently low rise semi-industrial, and very ugly) better than Locke St. (which is commercial and pretty in its existing low-rise form). Dundurn would be a perfect place for live-work lofts and mixed use in a more intensive form.

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Major Transit Station Areas Final Report

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